Preventing sun damage to and around the eyes

As Southern Californians, we know that exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can do considerable damage to our skin. But did you know that UV exposure may result in skin cancer on delicate eyelid tissue as well as causing disorders within the eye, itself?

An estimated 3,200 people each year are diagnosed with cancers of the eye and eye socket and most are melanomas, according to the American Cancer Society .

But long-term, cumulative exposure to UV rays also can cause other damage to the eyes, which makes shielding them every bit as important as protecting our skin, says UCI Health ophthalmologist Dr. Mohammad Riazi Esfahani with the UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute.

People with light skin and eye colors are more susceptible to damage. Pigment in darker skin and eyes tends to absorb the UV rays, acting as a protectant.

UV effects on the eye

There are three types of UV radiation:

• UVC, which has the highest energy but is mostly absorbed by the ozone layer in the Earth’s atmosphere
• UVB, which reaches the outer layer of the skin
• UVA, which penetrates the middle layer of skin, called the dermis

Both UVA and UVB waves can causes a host of conditions, such as:

• Premature skin aging
• Eye damage (contributing to cataracts and Age-related Macular Degeneration)
• Skin cancers

They also suppress the immune system, reducing your ability to fight off these and other maladies.

UV-related vision problems

Riazi, who is also a UC Irvine School of Medicine professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, says some of the most common vision problems related to UV exposure include:

• Cataracts, a progressive cloudiness and yellowing of the eye lens which could be associated to long-term UV exposure. It is the most treatable cause of vision loss.
• Eyelid cancers, including eyelid melanoma, squamous and basal cell carcinomas which are most common on the lower eyelid.
• Age-related macular degeneration, which affects central vision and is a leading cause of blindness in people over age 50.
• Photo keratitis, an inflammation of the cornea that can result in light sensitivity and eye irritation.
• Pterygium, a benign growth also known as “surfer’s eye.”

Guarding against UV damage

“Protecting your vision is every bit as important as protecting the skin of your body,” says Riazi.

He recommends taking the following precautions:

• Wear UV blocking sunglasses. Wear them even if your contact lenses have UV protection, since they don’t cover the entire eye.
• Use sunscreen. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least 30 SPF around the eyes and eyelids every two hours, even on cloudy days.
• Wear a hat with a brim that extends at least three inches over the face for maximum protection.
• Reduce time in the sun. Pay attention to the UV index where you live, and avoid the sun during the hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are highest.
• Protect children from UV exposure. It has been shown that 80% of UV exposure happens to us before age 18. Children should wear impact-resistant sunglasses with a medium tint.

Choosing the right sunglasses

Good sunglasses don’t have to cost much, Riazi says.

Here’s what to look for:

• Choose lenses that block 99% to 100% of UV rays and screen out 75% to 90% of visible light.
• Lens color isn’t important, except that it should be comfortable for you and allow you to see accurate colors, such as the red and green of traffic lights. Polarizing lenses may help protect against glare.
• Wraparound sunglasses or goggles are a must at high elevations, where the UV ray exposure is more intense, and also around snow and water, which can reflect 80% of UV light, even on cloudy days.
• There also are sunglasses designed for surfing and water sports.
• People who work outdoors or engage in activities that could result in eye damage should be careful to buy sunglasses whose lenses are made from polycarbonate or other impact-resistant materials.

“Southern California has among the best weather in the world, with an abundance of beaches, mountains and other locales to enjoy outdoor activities year-round,” Riazi says. “Protecting our eyes from UV light allows us to fully enjoy Mother Nature’s gifts.”